Families can enjoy an action-packed Easter weekend with fun-filled activities and entertainment across South Africa! From interactive chocolate cafés and creative workshops to immersive markets, themed mazes, and the latest films and series on screen, there’s something for everyone to explore. Savour seasonal treats, enjoy hands-on experiences, and make lasting memories this Easter, whether you’re in Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, or the Eastern Cape.
Gauteng
Sandton City – Easter Chocolate Café Sweet Edition
Dates: now open till 6 April 2026, daily from 9 am – 6 pm
Sandton City is ready to welcome the Easter season with a delectably curated experience – the Chocolate Café: Sweet Edition now open in the centre court. The interactive experiences include Find Your Fortune, Spin the Wheel, and What Candy Are You?, offering light-hearted fun throughout the visit. For younger guests, the Build-A-Bear station will provide a hands-on creative moment, encouraging them to design their own creations in an imaginative space.
A curated selection of well-loved confectionery brands are available, including Lindt, Ferrero Rocher, Kinder Joy and Cadbury, alongside local favourites such as Sally Williams and Beacon. Visitors can also personalise a Lindt Bunny ribbon for a thoughtful Easter touch or enjoy treats like Krispy Kreme doughnut sets and chilled chocolate beverages. Guests looking to pause and enjoy the moment can savour barista-style coffee at a Nespresso activation or Chateau Gateaux’s signature cake slices.
Cost: Entry is free, with sweets and treats available for purchase in a variety of sizes.
For more information: sandtoncity.com or follow Sandton City on social media @sandtoncitymall.
Eastgate – The Scoop Shop with Woolworths
Dates: 1 – 6 April
Following the sweetest debut last year, The Scoop Shop will return to the Strelitzia Court from 1 to 6 April 2026, inviting families to step into a whimsical, ice cream-inspired world filled with sweet treats and playful Easter activities. The activation will run daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
At the heart of The Scoop Shop sits a charming café-style house, which will be transformed into a welcoming café experience called Scooped with Woolworths. The creative crafts corner will keep little hands busy, while a Bounce-inspired hopscotch zone will be add some hopping fun. There will also be an egg catch challenge that is sure to get pulses racing.
Cost: Participation costs R50 per person and includes one scoop of ice cream with toppings and all activities. Children are welcome to take part in the activities, with adult supervision required.
For more information: eastgateshops.com or follow Eastgate on social media: @eastgateshoppingcentre.
Bedford – Birthday Café in celebration of Bedfordview’s 100th birthday
Dates: Saturday 28 March to Saturday 4 April, daily from 10 AM till 5 PM
Bedford Centre in Johannesburg will mark a special milestone this Easter, with a series of family-friendly celebrations that honour 100 years since Bedfordview was officially named, inviting the community to come together in a way that feels thoughtful, easy and rooted in shared history. Set on the upper level opposite Spur, Bedford will be unveiling a Birthday Café, designed as a vibrant, interactive space for children and families to spend time together. The celebrations will begin with the Cupcake Club, where young visitors will be able to decorate their own cupcakes alongside members of the South African Cake Decorators Guild from Alberton.
Throughout the week, children will be able to take part in a pizza-making experience, building their own savoury creations, or spend time at the egg craft corner, turning chocolate eggs into imaginative fondant characters. Bedford has collaborated with Pizza Perfect, Pick n Pay and the South African Cake Decorators Guild of Alberton to bring the activation to life, adding extra fun to the experience.
Cost: Activities cost R20 per child (which include making a pizza and decorating an egg), with proceeds supporting Better Bedfordview and its ongoing work within the local community.
For more information: https://www.bedfordcentre.com or @bedfordcentre on social media
Western Cape
Cavendish Square – Garden Party
Dates: Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 April 2026
The Easter long weekend is around the corner, and Cavendish Square is set to welcome the break with a lush Garden Party experience. Designed as a light-hearted seasonal escape, the Cavendish Square Garden Party experience invites families to step into a playful space filled with colour and creativity with a few sweet surprises along the way.
On arrival, a series of complimentary delights that will set the tone for the sweetest visit. Young guests will be able to enjoy an ice cream, sweet packets, marshmallows handed out by the Easter Bunny and face painting. For those keen to get hands-on, a variety of interactive workshops will offer creative fun. Children will be able to personalise their own doughnuts, paint ceramics or decorate pot plants, with each activity designed to be simple, engaging and satisfying to complete. The workshops will form the centrepiece of the Garden Party, giving children the chance to make something of their own and get their creative juices flowing.
Cost: R50 per person via Quicket includes access to a chosen activity, along with an option to have their face painted, an ice cream stick and a packet of sweets to enjoy as part of the experience. Children of all ages are welcome and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
(Pre-booking is recommended as limited walk-in slots are available)
More information: cavendish.co.za
Liberty Promenade – Easter WonderMaze
Dates: 27 March to 6 April 2026, open daily from 12 midday to 5 PM
Liberty Promenade is inviting shoppers to step into a curious and colourful world inspired by the whimsical tale of Alice in Wonderland. The centre’s Food District Main Court has been transformed into the Easter WonderMaze. Here, participants do a fun-filled hunt for hidden QR codes nestled throughout the themed zones. By scanning the codes on their mobile phones, visitors can collect virtual Easter eggs as they progress through the maze.
Those who gather the required number of eggs will qualify for an instant prize. The total value of prizes to be won is R 50 000, including Liberty Promenade vouchers and other rewards, waiting to be discovered along the way. Hidden somewhere in the maze is the coveted Golden Egg, unlocking entry into a grand prize draw where lucky explorers could win their share of R15 000 in Liberty Promenade gift cards. Upon completion, each participant will receive a marshmallow or easter cake-sickle dipped into a flowing chocolate fountain and topped with sprinkles, a small treat to mark the end of the adventure.
Cost: Entry costs R20 per person. Kids must be supervised.
For more information: libertypromenade.co.za or @ libertypromenademall_za on social media
KwaZulu-Natal
Gateway – Have a Ball Fun & Fitness Club
Dates: Monday 30 March till Sunday 12 April
The Gateway Have a Ball Fun & Fitness Club is designed to get young people moving, playing and enjoying time together. Taking place near Sportsmans Warehouse (Entrance 8, ground floor), each day of the programme, instructors from Virgin Active will keep energy levels up.
Activities begin at 11:00 with a dance session to get everyone moving, followed by an interactive board game from 12:00 to 13:00 that blends play with light movement. From 13:00 to 14:00, boxing sessions introduce a fun, guided workout, before the Grid Squad takes over from 14:00 to 15:00 with team-based challenges that encourage coordination and confidence. The day winds down with another upbeat dance session from 15:00 to 16:00, giving kids a chance to end on a high. Padel sessions, led by Virgin Active Padel Club, will give young participants the chance to try something new in a supportive setting daily from 11:00 to 13:00. Plus, for extra fun, activities such as basketball, soccer, arts and crafts will be available between 11 am and 4 pm.
Cost: Participation is R20 per child for a 45-minute session. Children of all ages are welcome under parental or guardian supervision.
For more information: gatewayworld.co.za or instagram.com
Eastern Cape
East London
Vincent Park – The Vincent Park Family Market
Dates: Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 April from 11 am to 5 pm
Vincent Park is ready to welcome East London families for a vibrant Easter experience with the return of its much-loved market, now reimagined as The Vincent Park Family Market. Building on the strong response to last year’s Easter Market, this year’s edition promises a more immersive, community-focused celebration, blending shopping, entertainment and hands-on activities in a vibrant setting.
Taking place in the food court, the market invites visitors to browse a curated mix of craft and design stalls while enjoying a variety of interactive experiences. From Hey Clay pottery painting to canvas and tote bag painting, children and adults alike can get creative, while face painting will add fun for younger visitors. A live Easter Bunny show will bring an extra dose of festive cheer, creating moments that families can enjoy together.
Cost: Free but booking is required, here quicket.co.za. All activities can be paid for directly at each stall, with selected experiences available for pre-booking, including Hey Clay pottery painting and canvas or tote bag painting.
For more information: vincentpark.co.za or instagram.com
On the big screen across SA
Then, in cinemas, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is opening in cinemas nationwide on Wednesday, 1 April!
Landing in cinemas nationwide across South Africa on Wednesday, 1 April, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie blasts Mario and his crew into an all-new cosmic adventure. Based on Nintendo’s beloved franchise, the animated sequel follows Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach and their allies as they journey through outer space, encountering new worlds, meeting Rosalina and teaming up with Yoshi, while facing off against Bowser and Bowser Jr. in a high-stakes galactic showdown. Expanding far beyond the Mushroom Kingdom, the film promises vibrant interstellar settings, familiar faces and fresh surprises as the Mario universe levels up once again.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is directed by returning filmmakers Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, from a screenplay by returning screenwriter Matthew Fogel, with Brian Tyler returning to compose the score.
On the small screen across SA
Martin Scorsese Presents The Saints (National Geographic)
National Geographic invites viewers to step into the lives of some of history’s most famous saints with the premiere of Martin Scorsese Presents The Saints. Hosted, narrated and executive produced by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese, the seven-part series brings new perspectives to stories that have shaped faith, culture and history for centuries.
Premiering on National Geographic (DStv 181, StarTimes 220) on Sunday 5 April at 21:00 (CAT), with new episodes airing weekly, the series blends historical insight with cinematic storytelling to explore the lives of these extraordinary figures whose stories continue to inspire fascination across the world.
Each episode focuses on a singular saint whose life left a lasting mark on history. The series explores Francis of Assisi, Joan of Arc, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, Maximilian Kolbe, Moses the Black and Sebastian. Through these stories, the series reflects on moments of courage, sacrifice and unwavering belief that shaped religious and cultural history.
Blue Ridge Season 2
The wait is finally over as Blue Ridge returns to Universal TV (DStv 117) with Season 2 on Thursday, 2 April at 8 PM with new episodes every Thursday until the season finale on 21 May.
Based on the 2020 film of the same name, Blue Ridge follows Sheriff Justin Wise and his two deputies as they work to protect their small Appalachian town from the forces trying to rip it apart. Every case tests their grit, loyalty, and the limits of small-town peace. Longstanding feuds, disgruntled criminals, unruly travellers, and cold-blooded murderers wreak havoc – threatening the safety of the citizens Justin has promised to protect. Season 2 explores the shifting dynamics within the community and the growing pressures that come with wearing the badge in a place where everyone knows your name – and your history.
In Blue Ridge, justice is personal and earned one fight, one mystery, and one truth at a time. Johnathon Schaech (That Thing You Do!, Houdini) returns alongside Sarah Lancaster (Chuck, The Judge) as Elli Wise, Taegen Burns (Imaginary, The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers) as Maddie Wise, and A. Martinez (Longmire, Avatar: The Last Airbender) as Connor McGrath.